Global – Artiholicshttps://artiholics.com
Artwork From Around The World, From The Eye Of An ArtistTue, 19 Mar 2019 01:05:57 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.4AI WEIWEI OFFERS TO BUY TONS OF BUTTONS FROM A UK FACTORYhttps://artiholics.com/2019/03/09/ai-weiwei-offers-to-buy-tons-of-buttons-from-a-uk-factory/
https://artiholics.com/2019/03/09/ai-weiwei-offers-to-buy-tons-of-buttons-from-a-uk-factory/#respondSat, 09 Mar 2019 15:04:07 +0000https://artiholics.com/?p=14800A Brown & Co Buttons is a factory in Croydon, South London specializing in plastic, metal, glass, pearl and olive wood buttons and wooden toggles. The company has been in existence for the past 100 years and has been making huge sales ever since. Unfortunately, the company is closing down due to a slump in …

A Brown & Co
Buttons is a factory in Croydon, South London specializing in plastic, metal, glass,
pearl and olive wood buttons and wooden toggles. The company has been in existence
for the past 100 years and has been making huge sales ever since. Unfortunately,
the company is closing down due to a slump in sales.

The owner of the family-run company Stuart Brown, was afraid that the “hundreds of thousands” of unsold buttons in the warehouse which could have fetched around $1.9million would have to be thrown out. Amy Clare Tasker made an online appeal on behalf of the company last week and tweeted: COSTUME DESIGNERS: I’ve been asked to share this call to save buttons from landfill. Brown & Co Buttons (a 104 year-old button factory in Croydon) needs to dispose of 30 tons of buttons as the factory is shutting down.” The tweet has been shared 5,219 times and there are suggestions for the buttons to go to schools to be used in art classes.

Ai Weiwei Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Ai Weiwei a Chinese contemporary artist and activist used social media to express his interest in taking the hundreds of thousands of unsold buttons being offered by the company. Ai is best known for his vast works in visual arts including sculptural installations, woodworking video, photography, ceramics, Lego and inflatable rubber; his interest in the buttons could possibly mean that he is developing an interest in textile art. He responded to Tasker’s tweet asking, “Can I have them all?” In 2010, Ai created sunflower seeds and filled Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall with 100 million hand-crafted porcelain sunflower seeds. Could it be that Ai wants to create similar works with the buttons?

Photo courtesy of internet

Photo courtesy of Internet

Ai is however not the
only artist who expressed her interest in the buttons, another artist, Delaine
Derry Green who uses buttons in her pattern-based artworks also expressed her
interest in them.

Sarah Janalli, the factory owner’s sister-in-law whose contact details were included in Tasker’s tweet responded to the floods of responses saying, “Thank you so much. The responses have been overwhelming and we can’t cope with any more enquiries but SUCCESS! No buttons will go to landfill.”

It is yet to be known
whether the company has responded to the interest of Ai or of Delaine but the
negotiations between Ai and the company are ongoing.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2019/03/09/ai-weiwei-offers-to-buy-tons-of-buttons-from-a-uk-factory/feed/0Police Force Way into a Museum After Mistaking a Mannequin for a Corpsehttps://artiholics.com/2019/02/17/police-force-way-into-a-museum-after-mistaking-a-mannequin-for-a-corpse/
https://artiholics.com/2019/02/17/police-force-way-into-a-museum-after-mistaking-a-mannequin-for-a-corpse/#respondSun, 17 Feb 2019 11:28:24 +0000https://artiholics.com/?p=14631Any career or profession is just as important as the other, the point is that we do what we love and love what we do. Put our knowledge and skills to practice. Personally, I have so much respect for ‘our men in uniform’, the police. The fact that they take risks for others’ sake cannot …

Any career or profession is just as important as the other, the point is that we do what we love and love what we do. Put our knowledge and skills to practice.

Personally, I have so much respect for ‘our men in uniform’, the police. The fact that they take risks for others’ sake cannot go unnoticed or unrecognized. It is not just because it is their responsibility to guarantee us safety and security, but their dedication to it matters just as much. This field of profession just like any other has shortcomings. We could say, not every single officer is committed to their work but truth is a good number are. ‘You hit them up on their hotline number and boom! They show up for inspection on whatever it is.’

They face challenges as well, amongst them are the so many prank calls and raised-false-alarms, but, they say ‘police is your friend, so if you notice anything suspicious, do not fail to report’.

Now a recent incident of police officers forcing
their way into a London Art Gallery took place right after they had received a
report of a suspected corpse in the building. Cameras at the Factory Art
Gallery in Dalston show the officers breaking through the glass door and then approaching
a figure suspected to be a dead body just near a tied rope hanging from a
ceiling. After quick inspection, they then discovered that the ‘corpse’ was
actually a mannequin made out of paper and wires wrapped in clothes.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the officers and paramedics responded to the witness report of the suspected corpse at the gallery, “Officers and LAS attended the scene. Officers were required to force entry inside. Upon inspection, the person turned out to be a figurine constructed from clothing and wires and was part of an art installation.”

Photo Courtesy: Internet

The camera footage shows the police officers’
arrival circa 7 am on Tuesday, and after a few attempts to force the glass door
open, they opt to break their way in using a crowbar. One officer is seen
approaching the said corpse and rummaging through it, leaving, then other officers
and a paramedic are seen walking in it to check as well.

The involved mannequin belongs to 36 year old Kollier
Din Bangura, and was as a matter of fact part of his exhibition on the
experiences of refugees who settle in Britain. The artist says he has used the mannequin
in other showcases before but was yet to have witnessed such an incident. “I have used the same
dummy before in other shows but this is the first time it’s caused police to be
called” said Bangura. “When I came to the studio and saw the smashed glass, I immediately
thought it had been vandalised. But the police left a note behind explaining
what happened.”

The handwritten note reads, “Police forced entry by smashing the window
due to getting calls from members of the public regarding a dead body inside
the building. If you have any issues please write to the Commissioner of the
Metropolitan Police.”

Mr Bangura added, “It’s a mistake by a member of the public who has seen it through the window when they are walking past. Or it could even be a prank by someone who wants to sabotage my work. But fair play to the police, they broke in and if it was really someone wanting to hang themselves they gave themselves a chance at saving them.”

He however notes that there
were posters on each door, indicating than art exhibition was taking place and regrets
why they did not look at them and contact the owner of the building before
breaking in.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2019/02/17/police-force-way-into-a-museum-after-mistaking-a-mannequin-for-a-corpse/feed/0Italy Declines to Lend Leonardo da Vinci’s Artworks to Francehttps://artiholics.com/2019/01/16/italy-declines-to-lend-leonardo-da-vincis-artworks-to-france/
https://artiholics.com/2019/01/16/italy-declines-to-lend-leonardo-da-vincis-artworks-to-france/#respondWed, 16 Jan 2019 17:48:16 +0000https://artiholics.com/?p=14323Italy has stood ground on its firm decision of declining to lend the artworks one of its greatest natives, to France. What is termed as this year’s “greatest cultural event” at the Louvre Museum in Paris, is expected to mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci. However, an agreement between Italy and France, to …

Italy has stood ground on its firm decision of declining to lend the artworks one of its greatest natives, to France. What is termed as this year’s “greatest cultural event” at the Louvre Museum in Paris, is expected to mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci. However, an agreement between Italy and France, to have Leonardo’s works lent on loan to the Museum has been scrapped off by Italy’s government. According to Italy’s undersecretary in the ministry of culture Lucia Borgonzoni, two years ago the former minister of culture Dario Franceschini signed an agreement, to lend several paintings as well as drawings to France for the Louvre Museum exhibition in honour of Leonardo.

Photo Courtesy of Internet

Photo Courtesy of Internet

Borgonzoni asserts that the signed deal of having the works at the exhibition puts Italy on the margins of a great cultural event, terming that the artist is by far remembered as one of their own, “Leonardo is Italian; he only died in France”. The artistic master worldly known for his painting “The Monalisa” was born in Anchiano, Italy in 1452 and passed away in France in the year 1519. Borgonzoni is now requesting to have the whole deal revised on the basis of having the nation’s interest put on notice as a major concern, “Where museums’ autonomy is concerned, the nation’s interest cannot come second, the French cannot have everything.”

Photo Courtesy of Internet

Photo Courtesy of Internet

The director of the Uffizi Galleries in Florence Eike
Schmidt, said that the three paintings in their possession: The Annunciation, The
Adoration of the Magi, and The Baptism of Christ would not be lent to the
Louvre Museum as they as too fragile to be moved. However at the moment
questions on why the condition of the paintings was not discussed ahead of this
year (when the exhibition is set to take place) are being raised.

With another concern emerging, who would have thought it
would turn out to be a tit for tat fair
game? Schmidt was quoted citing the Museum’s policy to never lend “The Mona Lisa”, “I am sure my French
colleagues at Louvre will support me when I apply the same rules to our
Leonardo paintings that they apply to the Mona Lisa,”

Both Italy and France are preparing exhibitions
this year marking the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo, with Italy
still seeking ways to access the Mona Lisa. The Louvre has repeatedly brushed
requests to allow the Mona Lisa to be shown in Italy, with claims that is owned
by the France since the French Royal Family acquired it right after the artist’s
death.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2019/01/16/italy-declines-to-lend-leonardo-da-vincis-artworks-to-france/feed/0RUBENS DRAWING PUT UP FOR AUCTION BY A DUTCH ROYALhttps://artiholics.com/2019/01/16/rubens-drawing-put-up-for-auction-by-a-dutch-royal/
https://artiholics.com/2019/01/16/rubens-drawing-put-up-for-auction-by-a-dutch-royal/#respondWed, 16 Jan 2019 17:34:31 +0000https://artiholics.com/?p=14344An anonymous Dutch Royal has commissioned Sotheby’s in London and New York to sell a number of works of art from the collection of King William II of Netherlands (1792-1849). Sotheby’s is a British founded American multi-national with its headquarter in New York City. It is one of the world’s largest brokers of fine and …

An anonymous Dutch Royal has commissioned Sotheby’s in London and New York to sell a number of works of art from the collection of King William II of Netherlands (1792-1849). Sotheby’s is a British founded American multi-national with its headquarter in New York City. It is one of the world’s largest brokers of fine and decorative art, real estates, jewelry and collectibles. William and his wife Anna put together huge collections of paintings and drawings including the works by Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Rembrandt and Ruben.

The most important object of the sale which comprises of drawings, Chinese porcelain, table wear and silver is a drawing by Peter Paul Rubens of a young man a preliminary study for an altar piece in the cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. The drawing is said to be “property of a princess” as it graced the wall of New York apartment of Princess Christina, former Queen Beatrix’ youngest sister, in the 1980s.

Peter Paul Rubens, Photo Courtesy of Internet

Photo of drawing on auction Courtesy of Sotheby’s

Peter Rubens was a Flemish
artist and is still considered the most influential artist of the Flemish
Baroque tradition. He specialized in making altar pieces, portraits, landscapes
and history paintings of mythological and religious subjects. In his drawings
which are without great detail, he made use of oil sketches, wooden panels, and
canvas. For the alter pieces he would paint on slate in order to reduce
reflection problems.

William wanted the collections of works to be made public property but the proposal was voted down by parliament. This is not the first time his collection of works is selling, in 1850, following William’s death, dozens of drawings by Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci were sold along with 192 paintings by old masters including five of them by Rembrandt. The anonymous royal could gain 3.5million euro from the sale of the drawing.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2019/01/16/rubens-drawing-put-up-for-auction-by-a-dutch-royal/feed/0THE BHUBANESWAR ART TRAIL FOR THE PUBLIChttps://artiholics.com/2019/01/04/the-bhubaneswar-art-trail-for-the-public/
https://artiholics.com/2019/01/04/the-bhubaneswar-art-trail-for-the-public/#respondFri, 04 Jan 2019 23:38:46 +0000https://artiholics.com/?p=14265Every country has its own uniqueness, beauty and amazing facts. A lot can be said about India: it is considered the world’s second largest country with over 1.2 billion people, it is also home to the world’s largest gathering of humans, the Kumbh Mela Festival. Indians also love art, not only have they embraced the …

]]>Every country has its own uniqueness,
beauty and amazing facts. A lot can be said about India: it is considered the
world’s second largest country with over 1.2 billion people, it is also home to
the world’s largest gathering of humans, the Kumbh Mela Festival. Indians also love
art, not only have they embraced the body form of art normally known as Henna but
also sculpting, photography and painting among many others.

More ideas of art are coming up
daily with the intention of exposing art to the public and in Bhubaneswar,
India, the largest city in Odisha, a new public art trail has opened its
inaugural edition. The art trail cuts through the city’s Old Town district and
leads visitors through unexpected exhibition locales including school rooms,
gardens, temple complexes and private residences.

The trail was
co-curated by Jagannath
Panda and Premjish Achari and will feature 24 artists from India
and abroad. Being one of the “smart cities” in India, Bhubaneswar’s art community held workshops to actively
discuss the role of art and the trail is one of the fruits to be
seen from the discussion. The role of the art trail which was the thought
behind the brains of Utsha Foundation for Contemporary Art is to go on a
journey and experience art.

Some of the artists who will be showing their works include:
Sibanand Bhol, Cecile Beou, Arunkumar H.G, Satyabhama Majhi, Surdashan Shetty
and Smrutikant Rout among others.

The best part about
the trail is that it will involve students and volunteers who will get to learn
so much about contemporary art. The
objective of the Bhubaneswar art trail is to take art to the public and help
them understand how art is of importance in life.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2019/01/04/the-bhubaneswar-art-trail-for-the-public/feed/0Together for The First Time in Centurieshttps://artiholics.com/2018/12/12/together-for-the-first-time-in-centuries/
https://artiholics.com/2018/12/12/together-for-the-first-time-in-centuries/#respondWed, 12 Dec 2018 20:07:16 +0000http://artiholics.com/?p=14227We meet different people as we walk the down the path of life, some of them leave us permanently either physically or emotionally and others leave us but only temporarily. However, nothing beats the joy you feel when you meet up in life with someone you haven’t seen in a long time; probably because life …

]]>We meet different people as we walk the down the path of life, some of them leave us permanently either physically or emotionally and others leave us but only temporarily. However, nothing beats the joy you feel when you meet up in life with someone you haven’t seen in a long time; probably because life happened and you both moved to different places or even countries and thus you never had the luxury of time to meet up and share a cup of coffee and talk about life in general. The whole point of uniting once again beats all odds, it’s a beautiful experience and for the people you really got along well with, it’s always like they never left; it’s like you are just picking up from where you left from months or even years ago.

Apart from human relations, objects also unite and for two panels of a single painting by the Renaissance master Andrea Mantegna, unity is also their portion. The two are to be joined together for the first time in as much as 500 years at the National Gallery in London. The pair will be unveiled together to the public on December 6th to January 27th 2019.

Born in 1431, Andrea was an Italian renaissance painter of well-regarded influence who was known for his visual experiments in perspective and spatial illusion. Most of artworks were depicting the era of Jesus Christ among them being “Lamentation of Christ” “Triumph of Caesar”, “Crucifixion” “Agony in the garden” among many others. This is prove that art has been in existence for a very long time; and this time round it will unite many. The panels that will be showing at the gallery are the “Resurrection of Christ” (1492) and “The Descent of Christ” (1492).

The upper half of the painting “the Resurrection of Christ” that is held in the collection of the Academia Carrara in Bergamo since the 19th century was only recently re-attributed to Mantegna after a small cross was discovered at the bottom of the frame which led the curator Giovanni Valagussa to think it must have been part of the bigger painting.

The lower half, the Descent of Christ” has been loaned to the National Gallery by an anonymous private collector, who bought the panel for more than $28m at Sotheby’s New York in 2003.

The showcasing of this legendary pieces will attract lots of people considering the fact that they are probably one of the oldest artworks in existence. Andrea was an extraordinary artist and an exemplary one and to have a chance to take a look at his works is such a great honor. For the first time in approximately 500 years, the two pieces will finally be together.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2018/12/12/together-for-the-first-time-in-centuries/feed/0Alaskan Dancer Helps Solve The Yup’Ik Mask Puzzlehttps://artiholics.com/2018/11/09/alaskan-dancer-helps-solve-the-yupik-mask-puzzle/
https://artiholics.com/2018/11/09/alaskan-dancer-helps-solve-the-yupik-mask-puzzle/#respondFri, 09 Nov 2018 20:32:44 +0000http://artiholics.com/?p=14175We all love a good puzzle especially in cases where we will get it right by putting all the pieces where they actually belong. With puzzles it is always the small pieces that often make the big picture; basically, without the small pieces we are never really able to understand the bigger picture. Puzzles apply …

]]>We all love a good puzzle especially in cases where we will get it right by putting all the pieces where they actually belong. With puzzles it is always the small pieces that often make the big picture; basically, without the small pieces we are never really able to understand the bigger picture. Puzzles apply almost in every situation in life: there are puzzles that we should solve in our social life, our work places and even with family or even when we are having a good time like playing games on our laptops and phones or tablets, we need to solve the puzzle.

Puzzles are so easy yet so hard, they are all about placing things where they actually fit or belong and so long as you are determined, you will always be able to solve them. It’s with no doubt that our lives are summed up by the puzzles we solve daily and until we are able to solve them, we can never really be at peace. In some cases, we ask for help from people who can solve them.

Caitlin Mahony, an assistant conservator at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of art is not new to life puzzles and in her case her puzzle was “work related.” Caitlin first examined a wooden Yup’ik mast that was created around the 1900 and was amazed by it and didn’t really know how to proceed with it. The mask was perforated with holes on the side into which appendages were inserted. Some of the appendages were broken, missing or probably wrongly fitted and this made it difficult for Caitlin to understand the mask. You see how it feels when you play a game on your phone and have to fit in certain things and it is so hard to figure it out but you keep playing because you need to get it right? Well, that was the case for Caitlin, to get the actual mask features well put for it to actually look like a mask.

Caitlin sort help from Chuna McIntyre, a storyteller and dancer born in southwestern Alaska who travels performing in traditional costume as an ambassador for central Yup’ik culture. Chuna was definitely a good solution considering the fact that he is an ambassador of the Yup’ik culture; he sure came in handy and was able to fit the pieces together; he helped decipher the original configuration of the. Chuna got most of his knowledge of Yup’ik culture from his grandmother, who passed along traditional stories, dances and songs.

Two comma-shaped red pieces depicting spurts of blood were moved from the skull to the gills of one of the two salmon framing the top of the mask. A hoop on the mask was in the wrong location, and previous repairs on it were failing, so Mahony adjusted the position and stabilized it. The two flippers towards the bottom of the front of the mask were not originally a pair but a single front and a single back flipper, so one was moved.

Carved from driftwood and measuring nearly 3ft in height, the mask depicts a kayak pierced by a seal and studded with a skull, a fish, a bird’s head, hands, flippers and feathers. Because the mask was too large to be worn during ceremonies, it would be suspended from the ceiling and then a Yup’ik dancer would approach it from the rear and bite on a protrusion to set it in motion.

The mask was donated to the Met last year and is now on view at the museum alongside other 115 objects dating from the 2nd to the early 20th century in Art In Native America. A mixture of sculptures, drawings, paintings that will be showing at the museum aim at acquainting viewers with the customs and daily life of more than 50 indigenous cultures. The mask is now a glimpse of the ancient connection to the spiritual realm thanks to the joint effort of Chuna and Caitlin. It is now up for viewing with its pieces well put together.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2018/11/09/alaskan-dancer-helps-solve-the-yupik-mask-puzzle/feed/0Venice Museums Hit by Floodshttps://artiholics.com/2018/11/09/venice-museums-hit-by-floods/
https://artiholics.com/2018/11/09/venice-museums-hit-by-floods/#respondFri, 09 Nov 2018 20:27:56 +0000http://artiholics.com/?p=14153Water is life, but then again water can take away life: in it lies the power to give or take in cases where there is an overflow of a large amount of it beyond its normal limits especially over what is normally dry land. This is normally what we refer to as floods. Floods have …

]]>Water is life, but then again water can take away life: in it lies the power to give or take in cases where there is an overflow of a large amount of it beyond its normal limits especially over what is normally dry land. This is normally what we refer to as floods. Floods have been in existence for like forever and the damages they bring along is huge among them being destruction of property, forces people to move from their residences, loss of lives and many others.

Venice is a city in Italy built on more than 100 small islands and has been dubbed as a “floating city” for years now. Floods have been “normal” in the city but a few days ago they became out of hand as an unusually high tide submerged most parts of it leading to massive damage of property. Among the businesses and institutions that were affected were the Venice’s museums resulting into a temporary shutting of their doors. The floods which hit 75% of the city caused the water levels to rise more than five feet and are said to have been the worst to ever happen in a decade.

The Peggy Guggenheim Foundation was among the museums that were forced to temporarily close down on 29th October but the tide did not affect its interiors. It is one of the most perfectly formed galleries in the world and due to its prime position it closed down due to the high tides. The Prada Foundation also closed down for a few hours due to the floods. The Architecture Biennale was also closed but the venues were not affected with 3,000 visitors turning up. The popular Piazza San Marco, home to the art-filled Basilica di San Marco and Doge’s palace as well as the Museo Correr also closed down.

Meanwhile, it is not known whether the Fondazione Musei Civici Veneziani, the foundation established by the Comune di Venezia city authority had any of its institutions closed down due to the adverse weather conditions. Special walkways were erected outside Doge’s Palace in St Mark’s Square on 30 October enabling visitors to enter the 15th-century structure.

The museums have however reopened and normalcy is slowly picking up with visitors streaming in them. Officials of the museums hope that action will be taken to control such floods which are badly affecting them. Studies have shown that Venice is naturally sinking- a phenomenon that makes the city prone to flooding, however it is such a historic and beautiful city, the future of its landmarks whether great or small are of concern.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2018/11/09/venice-museums-hit-by-floods/feed/0Making The Independent Artists Voices Heardhttps://artiholics.com/2018/10/25/making-the-independent-artists-voices-heard/
https://artiholics.com/2018/10/25/making-the-independent-artists-voices-heard/#respondThu, 25 Oct 2018 23:49:29 +0000http://artiholics.com/?p=14101Clio Art Fair has been and still is the main art fair for independent artists in New York and was born from the idea of Founder and Director Alessandro Berni in 2014, of celebrating and promoting emerging artists. It has now fully established itself attracting artists from all walks of life and runs twice every …

]]>Clio Art Fair has been and still is the main art fair for independent artists in New York and was born from the idea of Founder and Director Alessandro Berni in 2014, of celebrating and promoting emerging artists. It has now fully established itself attracting artists from all walks of life and runs twice every year in March and October. The fair focuses its attention on the kinds of contemporary art and interventions that are being created by independent artists; artists who do not have any exclusive gallery representation in New York.

Clio Art Fair is a unique form of fair because it gives artists the freedom to use different types of material to create their work and they can deviate from the accepted art practice and definitions, unlike in the usual concerns in the art business where there are too many rules on how art should and should not be; after all art is about freedom to express yourself and your thoughts right?

To celebrate or to make famous are the terms that define the Greek word “Clio” and for the second time in 2018, the 7th edition of Clio Art Fair is going to do as per its meaning and norm; to celebrate and make famous works of already affirmed creative minds. The world of art will converge in New York City and this weekend will undoubtedly be an amazing one for artists and art lovers. The four spectacular days from 11th October- 14th October 2018 will be defined by dialogue between artists and collectors, artists and curators, positive energy, colors, and free public viewing. Art lovers will get to see different artworks not forgetting the faces behind them and there will be a chance to buy any piece of art that you will love from paintings, sculptures, digital art and more. Talent from all over the world will all be under one roof.

From October11-14, a group of 69 worldwide artists will be exhibiting their works, they will showcase their prowess and prove their creativity and originality as far as art is concerned. These creative minds will convince the world that art is beautiful, art is capable of bringing people together and that it is a career just like any other. The 7th edition of Clio Art Fair has the privilege to showcase thrilling works of artists such as Francesca Schwartz, Paulina Cerda, Amanda Armstrong, and Emiko Aida among many others.

Art is always up for grabs with every edition of Clio Art Fair and with its unique approach to art, it continues to highlight the achievements of artists. From upcoming artists to the well-known ones, all stand a chance to exhibit in New York. Clio Art Fair is home to creative artists sharing their expression of art to the world.

]]>https://artiholics.com/2018/10/25/making-the-independent-artists-voices-heard/feed/0STITCH BY STITCH: ARTIST WORKS AT BRINGING UNITYhttps://artiholics.com/2018/10/07/stitch-by-stich-an-artist-works-at-bringing-unity/
https://artiholics.com/2018/10/07/stitch-by-stich-an-artist-works-at-bringing-unity/#respondSun, 07 Oct 2018 15:29:23 +0000http://artiholics.com/?p=13963When the North and South meet… The Korean Peninsula was not always divided into two. Korea kingdom was just Korea, where for 5 centuries it was ruled by the Joseon Dynasty (founded by Yi Seong-gye in July1392), with different degrees of authority. However, the said kingdom got divided into the present day North Korea and …

The Korean Peninsula was not always divided into two. Korea kingdom was just Korea, where for 5 centuries it was ruled by the Joseon Dynasty (founded by Yi Seong-gye in July1392), with different degrees of authority. However, the said kingdom got divided into the present day North Korea and South Korea. Many explanations as to what may have been the cause of the division have been stated, with some basing the fact that Korea may have already been divided, even before WW II due to power struggle.

Photo Source: Internet

In the present day, South Korea can be said to have mothered a more like reticent master of art who in a bold way can also be termed to be courageous. Kyungah Ham, who was brought up in Seoul was a witness of the occasional war between South Korea and North Korea. The two countries would send each other leaflets containing propaganda, after the 1953 war.

Kyungah Ham, who as indicated earlier as a courageous master of art in her own unique – kind of risky way, took I upon herself to create artwork that would be used as a means of uniting the North and South of the ancient kingdom Korea.

Photo Source: Internet

Since 2008 Ham has been producing designs using her computer and having them printed and smuggled into the landscapes of North Korea. Before her artwork is showcased and sold in art galleries and exhibitions, a group of crafts persons who are unknown to her then convert the designs into embroideries that are then made into fine stitching.

Ham’s art, which is on a whole different level of creating art, aims at reuniting North and South Korea through the love for Art. The work is said to be a combination of both countries’ identities, with the South emerging with technology and the North with craftsmanship. As she refers to it as the Embroidery Project, Kyungah Ham’s work has been a part of museum group show in London, Vienna as well as Singapore.

Photo Source: Internet

The Embroidery Project, as she calls it, has been part of museum group shows in London, Vienna and Singapore, with each piece giving a brief explanation of how the piece was made. Unlike other artists, Ham’s inspiration to start the Embroidery Project was from an incident where she found a North Korean leaflet at her parent’s home in Seoul while she was young. The leaflet had a picture of North Korea’s previous leader Kim Jong – il and shad some propaganda writings on it.

Photo Source: Internet

At that time, children who came across those leaflets, brought the leaflets to school and they would receive compliments and rewards. According to Ham, she found leaflet to be an alien-like thing, obviously not from her world. To communicate to North Koreans, she thought had the idea of sending stories and sharing news about not only her world but the outer world too, so she began the embroidery project.

But as much as Embroidery Artworks appear appealing, and very relevant to many people, they do carry a lot of risks. Ms Ham, as well as her North Korean craftsmen could possibly face criminal prosecution for smuggling in her designs into North Korea.

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It could be called sacrifice with risks and challenges for a good cause – unity, that such work is been done, when one goes this far as an artist.